On the Team

The Grace of God

The Grace of God

Ephesians 2:1–10

LAUNCH When was a time when someone gave you a really lavish or expensive gift? THE WORD Ephesians 2:1-10 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. EXPLORE Why are people spiritually “dead” according to verse 1-3? Pick one word to summarize the condition of people in verses 1-3. Pick another word to summarize the condition of people in verses 4-6. What was God’s motivation for doing what He did in verse 4? (Look for two). “grace” - unmerited favor, undeserved gift With that definition in mind, what do you think it means in v. 8 that it is by “grace you have been saved”? Saved from what? “Faith” - trust, confidence With that definition in mind, what do you think v. 8 means when it says that “you have been saved through faith”? What do you think the text means when it says “And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”? Why would this exclude boasting in self? If v. 9 just said that salvation is “not a result of works” what do you think it means that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”? APPLY Think back to the first question you answered. When someone gave you that expensive gift, how did you respond? How is this related to salvation that we looked at in this passage? Sometimes we think that acceptance before God is based on performance (works), but according to this passage, salvation is based on grace - a free gift. How does that affect you to know that we are freed from performance to be accepted by God? How should this passage affect your relationship with God if salvation is not a result of works, but salvation actually produces works? MEMORIZE Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Assurance of Salvation

1 John 5:11–13, 1 John 5:9–13

LAUNCH On a scale from 0-100%, how sure are you that you’d spend eternity with God? Why? What gives you that confidence? What causes doubt? THE WORD 1 John 5:9-13 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. EXPLORE When a witness gives a testimony, what is a testimony? How do you know whether to trust or not trust a testimony? According to this passage, what is God’s testimony? According to v. 9-10, why should we accept God’s testimony? How do we receive eternal life? Why does John say that he writes these things? APPLY Click the "Apply" button below to view image. MEMORIZE 1 John 5:11-13 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Position in Christ

Romans 8:1, Colossians 3:1–17

LAUNCH When you find yourself struggling with sin, how does that affect your relationship with God? THE WORD Colossians 3:1-17 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. EXPLORE Look at the main commands in v. 1-2. What do you think Paul means by seeking and setting your mind on the things above? Note that v. 3 begins with “for.” Paul is giving the reason why we should obey these commands. What is it that he says? What is true of us according to verses 3-4? If verse 3 is true and we “have died” why does Paul say in verse 5 to “put to death” what is earthly in us? What reasons does he give for this? What are the specific characteristics that we are to put away with the old self? What does that term “old self” mean? What are we to put on (v. 10)? How is the image of God related to this? What are the characteristics that should be true of the new self (v. 12-14)? How do verses 15-17 further challenge us to grow in our walk with God? APPLY How can you seek and set your mind on the things above? What would that look like for you? There is a sense that our salvation has already been accomplished, but at the same time it is not yet complete. Theologians have different names for this, but they are essentially the same thing. Our position in Christ never changes, though our condition does. Our relationship with God is secure, but our fellowship with God is affected by how we live. Our justification (being made right with God) was accomplished by Christ on the cross, but our sanctification (being made holy) is an ongoing process. Position / Relationship / Justification • Accomplished by Jesus on the cross • This is what is already true of you because you are in Christ • “You have died” “been made holy” “declared righteous” • This is unchanged by sin Condition / Fellowship / Sanctification • Growth over time as you walk with God • This is what is true of you now “in the flesh” • Therefore, “put to death” “be holy” “pursue righteousness” • This is affected by sin This passage challenges us to live out what is already true of us in virtue of what Jesus did on the cross. How can you do this in your life? Are there some areas (perhaps that are mentioned in this passage) that you need to “put off the old self” and “put on the new”? MEMORIZE Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Growth

Philippians 2:12–13

LAUNCH In your sport, what does it take to grow? THE WORD Philippians 2:12-13 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. EXPLORE What do you learn about the relationship between the author and the recipients from the language he uses? What do they do when he is around? Why do you think he tells them to obey “much more in my absence”? (Think: when is practice more intense, when coach is absent or when coach is present? Why?) How does that correspond to what Paul is commanding here? In verse 12 Paul says, “work out” your salvation. We’ve talked before about how salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (see Ephesians 2:8-9). What is the difference between “work out” your salvation and “work for” your salvation? Why do you think he says “with fear and trembling”? Who or what do we fear? Why do we tremble? Look at verse 13. Paul just said to work out our salvation, but now he says God works in us. What does he mean? APPLY Based on this passage, what is our role and what is God’s role in spiritual growth? When an airplane is in autopilot, the pilot doesn’t even have to put his or her hands on the controls. If a car has power steering, the driver still has to have hands on the wheel, but steering is empowered by the power steering pump. Which one is more illustrative of the Christian life? Why? Notice that God works in us to will and to work for HIS good pleasure. What is God’s good pleasure? What does he delight to see happen in your life? How have you experienced God “working in” you in the past? How might you be experiencing God working in you right now? What are some things you’ve done in the past to “work out” your salvation? If you evaluate your “working out” your salvation right now, what grade would you give yourself? Why? What are some steps you can take this week and/or this year to keep growing in your faith? MEMORIZE Philippians 2:12b-13 “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

The Spirit-Filled Life

Galatians 5:16–26

LAUNCH How have you experienced the inner struggle between choosing right and wrong? Where do you struggle with living according to God’s will for you versus your own desires? Between the desire to live according to what God desires for you and your own way? THE WORD Galatians 5:16-26 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. EXPLORE What do you think it means to “walk” by the Spirit (verse 16)? What does this passage say is true of someone walking by the Spirit? In verses 16-17 what is the opposition to walking by the Spirit? In verses 19-21, the deeds of the flesh are described. In verses 22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is described. Look at the contrast between these lists! How is a fruit produced on a plant? Why do you think the word “fruit” is used to describe the fruit of the Spirit? How is the description of “the fruit of the Spirit” in contrast to “the deeds of the flesh”? What are verses 24-25 saying about how the Christian life should be lived? APPLY How have you experienced the opposition between walking by the Spirit and the deeds of the flesh? Where have you seen the works of the flesh lead to brokenness in your own life? Where have you seen the fruit of the Spirit lead to true life and freedom? What’s one fruit of the Spirit that you often fail to display? What might it look like to consistently display this fruit? Do you think it’s possible to genuinely live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit? Imagine the flesh as a hungry dog. Sometimes we think that if we simply indulge the flesh the desires will go away. But it actually feeds the dog and makes it bigger and stronger in your life. We need to starve the dog and “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires”! What would it look like for you to “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires”? So how does Jesus make it possible to walk in the Spirit? (v. 24) How do we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives? Being controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit is simply turning from our sin and turning to Him in faith. God has already given the Holy Spirit to all believers. But not all believers are yielding their lives to being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Remember the acronym REST to be Empowered by the Spirit: R - Repent - Admit, confess, and turn from all known sin. E - Experience - Experience the gospel. God has already forgiven you through the cross. S - Surrender - Yield control of every area of your life to God (Ask: Is there an area I’m holding back?). T - Trust - By faith, trust and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit moment by moment. MEMORIZE “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” -Galatians 5:22-24

God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:14–17, 2 Timothy 3:16–17

LAUNCH What comes to your mind when you think of the Bible? Why do you think the Bible is important to Christians and the Christian life? What would the Christian faith look like if we didn’t have the Bible? THE WORD 2 Timothy 3:14-17 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. EXPLORE According to verses 14-15, what does Paul say Scripture does in our lives? What is Paul’s charge here? In verse 16, what does Paul claim about the ultimate origin of Scripture? According to verse 16, what roles does Scripture play in the Christian life? What does teaching, reproof, and correction look like practically (take them one by one)? Is it possible for Scripture to play these roles in your life if you are not reading Scripture? According to verse 17, what is the result of a person allowing themselves to be taught, reproved, corrected and trained by Scripture? APPLY If the ultimate origin of Scripture is God Himself, how should that impact the way we view Scripture? (How should we see the commands, promises, truth, and even teachings in Scripture that confront us or our beliefs about the world?) After looking at this passage, why do you think it is beneficial for us to be in God’s Word regularly? What do we gain from reading God’s Word? If ALL Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correcting, and training, what does that mean it will inevitably do when you are reading it? Are there any ways you think Scripture is doing this to you currently? Are there ways you think you might have to reevaluate the way you’ve read Scripture? • to view image click the image button below • Scripture is essential for all of the Christian life! The Bible teaches us the path to walk on, reproves us when we step off of the path, corrects us to get us back on the path, and then trains us to continue walking on that path. Would you be willing to commit to a Bible reading plan? MEMORIZE 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Prayer and Perspective

Matthew 6:5–13, Philippians 4:6–7

LAUNCH What makes prayer so challenging? Why do you think some prayers are unanswered? THE WORD Matthew 6:5-13 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” EXPLORE Verses 5-8: What not to do What warning is Jesus giving us about prayer in verses 5-6? What is the warning about prayer in verses 7-8? Verses 9-13: What to do “Hallowed” - made holy, consecrated, greatly revered and honored Why do you think Jesus’ prayer starts with “hallowed be your name”? How does verse 10 change our perspective when we’re in prayer? If this prayer were answered on your team, what would it look like? Verse 11 is the first time that there is a request. How is that instructive to us? Why do you think Jesus instructs us to ask for our “daily bread”? What is being requested in verse 12? Why is verse 13 an important element of prayer? APPLY Look at Jesus’ model for prayer: 1) Praise / Worship (v. 9) 2) Perspective (v. 10) 3) Provision / Needs (v. 11) 4) Pardon / Being right with God / people (v. 12) 5) Protection (v. 13) Which of these elements needs to be more emphasized in your prayer life? How can they all apply to your sport and how you pray for that? When Jesus was suffering, He prayed to “let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). How should Jesus’ teaching on prayer and His example instruct our perspective on how we view prayer? On “unanswered” prayer? MEMORIZE Philippians 4:6-7 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Fellowship

Acts 2:42–47, Hebrews 10:24–25

LAUNCH What has been your exposure to fellowship in the church? Why do you think fellowship is so important for the Christian life? THE WORD Acts 2:42-47 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. EXPLORE As you look at the fellowship of the early church what are some of the elements that you notice? Why do you think their impact was so powerful? What do you think it means that they were devoted to the apostles’ teaching? What would this look like for us today? How about the “breaking of bread and prayers”? How was the church meeting one another’s needs? How would you describe that kind of community that is willing to do that? According to verse 47, how was the community growing? What does this imply that the community was doing? APPLY Practices of the early church that are essential for Biblical community today: 1. Dedicated to the Word of God (v. 42) 2. Prayer together (v. 42) 3. Meeting each others’ needs (v. 45) 4. Spending time with other believers / fellowship (v. 42, 46) 5. Evangelism (v. 47) Why do you think these elements are so powerful to transform lives and transform communities? Which aspect of the early church do you think you need to invest in more? Where can you invest more in this kind of community? MEMORIZE Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.